About

RED HEAVEN

$50,247

pledged of $40,000 goal

545

backers

STRETCH GOAL!

If we can reach $50,000, we will be able to hire a Story Consultant. We have 5 more days to do it!

A Story Consultant is a guru of narrative and structure, and will be integral to a documentary like ours that will interweave a character-driven story with a larger story about Mars in our culture. Please join us and help us bring our amazing team to the next level!

In a small dome on a remote volcano in Hawaii, six adventurers are simulating life in the first human habitat on Mars. And we are telling their story!

Watch our official trailer:

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We have EXCLUSIVE access to make our feature-length documentary about their year on 'Mars', but we can't do it without your support. We need to reach $40,000 by September 18!!

The simulation crew is exiting the dome on August 28th, after an entire year in isolation for NASA research, and we are headed to Hawaii to film the end of their incredible journey.

At this pivotal moment in our project, we need your support.

We need to raise funds to:

Film our subjects back on “Earth” re-acclimating to their lives. We'll be traveling to each of their hometowns.

Hire a talented post-production team, including an editor, sound designer, composer, and colorist.

Your contribution will help produce a film about what it truly means to become inter-planetary and, more than that, you’ll be a part of the tremendous undertaking to get humans to Mars.

Two years ago we were graduate film students talking about visions of the future in the basement of Stanford's McClatchy Hall. Living in Silicon Valley we were immersed in conversations about "changing the world", "living in the future", or "becoming multi-planetary", and we became fascinated by this dream of future technological immortality at a present time of global crisis. Much like the futures depicted in our favorite Sci-fi movies, the way we envision the future says so much about our present.

Science fiction always asks the big questions: about what it means to be human, about our place in the universe. Today, when Mars is a more powerful force in our imaginations than ever before, we have set out to make the first "science nonfiction" documentary that explores what life on Mars might actually be like, and what going to Mars means for the future of humanity.

When we embarked on telling this story about the HI-SEAS project, we were told there was no way for us to capture life inside the dome, since it is above all research for NASA. We took a risk and flew to Hawaii to film with the crew before they entered the simulation, and we were able to build trust with the project and the crew themselves. They opened their lives to us, and gave us exclusive access to make this feature film.

We are thrilled to share with you the project that has consumed our hearts and minds for the past two years. We will continue to work tirelessly to make this film, and only with your generous support can we make it a reality. Let's do this!

To Mars and beyond!

-- Katherine & Lauren

Join us!

From the Filmmakers behind the new BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY documentary!!

Our six crew members were selected to simulate life on Mars based on NASA's criteria for real astronauts, and their experience will determine the conditions for future manned missions to the red planet. They each differ in their motivations to be part of this mission.

Our backers will get exclusive updates along our journey and as the crew exits the dome and, of course, you'll be part of this dream. And if that’s not enough, we’ve put together some great rewards for you! Check out the sidebar to your right for the full list of rewards.

Risks and challenges

The time for this story is now, with so much energy and excitement around going to Mars. Will we be able to finish the film? This is where you come in, dear backers. You are an essential part of our budget. We are committed to making a compelling, thought-provoking film, and with your help - we can do it!

From the beginning of production when we thought we could never get access to capture this story, we have learned, above all, to persevere. We are fully committed to bring their story to life - join us!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10 or more
About $10

RECIPE FROM MARS

Kickstarter exclusive digital recipe card of a delicious meal made only with ingredients found in the dome. This is an original recipe made by Carmel, the crew commander and terrific chef. Eat like a Martian! *Plus we'll thank you on Facebook and Twitter!

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Pledge $20 or more
About $20

RED HEAVEN COOZIE

It may not be NASA protocol, but we still appreciate a cold one on Mars. Get this Kickstarter exclusive, custom-designed drink coozie and rep Mars at your next barbecue. *Plus you'll get a digital shout out!

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Pledge $80 or more
About $80

DRAWING BY CREW SPACE ARCHITECT

Get a piece of the film in your own hands with this print of "World Peas", a drawing created inside the dome by HI-SEAS crew member and space architect Tristan Bassingwaighte. It will be featured in a scene in the film! *Plus everything $50 and below!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

RED HEAVEN TOTE

A screenprinted "Red Heaven" tote bag designed by Gold Teeth Brooklyn exclusively for our Kickstarter supporters. For Mars lovers, film lovers, and people with style. *Plus you will get everything $50 and below!

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Pledge $100 or more
About $100

SIGNED COPY OF "THE MARTIAN"

Kickstarter exclusive for all you Mars lovers and science appreciators! You will receive a copy of "The Martian", the novel the movie was based on, with a personalized message TO YOU from author Andy Weir. *Plus you'll get everything $50 and below!

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Pledge $150 or more
About $150

TICKET TO PRIVATE SNEAK PEEK SCREENING

Be one of the first to see the final film, before it is released to the public! Join us in the Bay Area for a private screening of the film and a Q&A with the directors. *Plus you will get everything $50 and below!

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Pledge $250 or more
About $250

EXCLUSIVE ROUGH CUT VIEWING

Become part of our creative process! Watch an early cut of the film and give us feedback in person in the Bay Area, Gainesville area, or via Skype. Exclusive to Kickstarter supporters. *Plus you will get everything $50 and below!

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Pledge $300 or more
About $300

MEET A HAB-INAUT!

Perfect for students, educators, and Mars enthusiasts! A crew member of your choice will meet with you via Skype and offer their insights on real life and real science from fake Mars. *Plus you'll get a link to stream the film and a thank you in the credits!

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Pledge $400 or more
About $400

FILMMAKER CONSULTATION

Executive Producer, award-winning independent filmmaker, and Stanford film professor Jamie Meltzer will share with you his wisdom on grant-writing, trailer-making, camera packages, editing and getting an independent film off the ground. He will give you feedback on your project, your script or treatment, as well as the inside scoop on writing proposals, and hard-earned advice on moving your project forward. Exclusive to Kickstarter supporters. *Plus you'll get a link to stream the film and a thank you in the credits!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

TICKET TO THE PREMIERE

Be part of the film festival experience with one ticket to the film's premiere (travel and lodging not incuded) and attend our post-screening VIP after party where you'll meet the directors. *Plus you will get a signed copy of our movie poster and rewards $50 and below

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Pledge $600 or more
About $600

FOR OUR HOMETOWN TEAMS

Have a delicious dinner for 6 in St. Paul, MN or Gainesville, FL with one of the directors, followed by a viewing of an early rough cut of the film. Exclusive to Kickstarter supporters. *Plus you will get everything $50 and below!

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Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

TICKETS TO PREMIERE & DINNER

Two tickets to our festival premiere (travel and lodging not included) and post-screening VIP after party and have dinner with the directors on us! *Plus you will get a signed copy of our movie poster and rewards $50 and below

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

SKYPE WITH PRODUCER OF TETRIS

Have a 30-minute skype conversation with successful entrepreneur and Mars visionary Henk Rogers, who brought Tetris to the United States. He has so much wisdom to offer, and this opportunity is only for Kickstarter supporters. *Plus you will get a thank you credit in the film

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT

Welcome to the team! We are thrilled to have you on board - and to honor your huge contribution "Red Heaven" with a credit in the film. *You will also receive two tickets to the festival premiere and VIP after party, dinner with the directors, and a signed copy of the film poster.